Lost in the game

[Nefertoum]

Hello everybody !

 

So ! I decided to join this forum before my brain blow up !

I would like to launch satellites and build ISS by using launcher like Proton or Space shuttle, as real as possible, with SRSS of course (RSS is too bigger for me...)

But ! There are so many versions of mods, KSP, CKAN, ... so many differents directories GamaData, Ship, Subassemblies,.... I'm TOTALLY lost !!

 

Someone could help me ? 

Big THANKS to all !!

[GoatRider]

I would suggest playing through an unmodded career game, or at least lightly modded with nothing but MechJeb and Kerbal Alarm Clock. Watch Scott Manley's career walkthrough videos on youtube for tips on that. Then when you've got the hang of the game, start looking for interesting mods.

[Nefertoum]

I already played before without mod.

I know how launch satelittes, go to the moon, come back and land ^^ But thanks I will watch his videos.

I'm just beginner about mods and everythings outside the normal game.

Edited January 25, 2019 by Nefertoum

[Starhawk]

Welcome to the forums @Nefertoum!

The Gamedata directory is the key to installing mods.  Every mod will have a folder (and often some other files) that must be copied into that Gamedata folder.  That's generally all it takes to install any mod.  Sometimes, when you open the zip file for a mod the author has put a Gamedata folder into that zip file.  In these cases open that Gamedata folder and copy its contents into you Gamedata folder.

As far as the versions go, it's best to read the thread for the mod in question to see what version it's updated to and which other versions (if any) that it will still work with.

It's fairly straightforward and most mods will include some simple installation instructions (which mirror what I said above).

Happy landings!
 

[Geonovast]

Since it's so confusing for you, go with CKAN. It's a separate program, it doesn't actually interact with KSP, just manages the mod installs for you.  Once you get CKAN running, you shouldn't have to worry about proper directory structure, dependencies, versions, etc.

Not to say that means you can't have issues, but I think it's your best bet.

[Nefertoum]

Thanks for your answers

And which mods I need if I want to launch ISS parts ? in which game version ? 

I tried with KSP 1.3.1 for SSRSS, working great, but impossible to find an ISS mod or, at least, each part. 

And I found this : 

But everything on subassemblies directory... 

[Mad Rocket Scientist]

Most mods are pretty simple to install, just unzip, then copy everything inside the mod's GameData folder into your install's GameData folder. Although sometimes mod authors don't include a GameData folder in the download, in that case you have to play it by ear. Some require other mods, those will typically list the requirements in the forum thread, or redistribute them along with the mod. There are no issues with load order like in some games. Most mods don't conflict either.

One trick is to keep multiple installs of KSP on your computer, so you can mod one without having to worry about the others. If you bought it from steam, you need to just copy the entire directory out of program files/Steam/steamapps/common.

CKAN is an external program that manages mods, you just download it, put the executable anywhere (I like to put it in the main folder of the KSP install I'm modding), enter the location of a few directories and you're ready.

RSS and realism overhaul (RO) are probably the most tricky mods to install, since they have a lot of requirements and patches for other mods. CKAN handles it all very well though. It also rarely supports the latest version of KSP, currently it works with 1.4.5.

[Tyko]

I'm not aware of a mod that gives you all the ISS parts. You could certainly build your own station similar to ISS using parts available - that's kind of what KSP is best at.

There are a number of mods that give great station parts.

• Tantares has Russian/soviet parts which are very similar to the Russian ISS modules.
• Stockalike Station Parts Redux has a bunch of parts that could work for an ISS type design, but aren't exact copies. 
• Lonesome Robots Aerospace: Station parts has a bunch more

Lots of choices.

Edited January 25, 2019 by Tyko

[Vanamonde]

Since it seems you are specifically asking for modding guidance, your question has been moved to Add-on Discussions.